Somersworth beer and bread house a go

Saturday

Aug 3, 2013 at 3:15 AM

SOMERSWORTH — After months of fundraiser parties, blog posts, and bread-baking, the owners of Leaven Beer and Bread House have reached their fundraising goal.

Leaven, a craft beer bar, sourdough bread bakery, and restaurant soon to open at 44 Market St. in downtown Somersworth, has been funded in part by the local community. The three owners, Patrick Jackman, Emmett Soldati, and Aidan Watson — all Somersworth natives — started the project almost a year ago. “We wanted to address a need in our city,” said Jackman in a press release issued by the group. “There are not enough places to congregate, meet our community, enjoy excellent food, and experience a thriving night life. We think Leaven will fill the void,” he added.

Community is central to the “local pub” feel they aim for. It has been present even in the early stages, the trio stated. “We raised over $10,000 by selling vouchers to friends, family, and neighbors,” said partner Emmett Soldati, “we came up with the funding model after hearing about a similar one in Hardwick, Vt. When people purchase vouchers, they will receive it all back — and more — in the form of gift cards to Leaven after opening. This not only helps us open without bank debt, but also sets up our customer base before we even open!”

Residents and passersby have been able to watch the progress down on Market Street recently as the plywood facade came down to reveal a beautiful, custom-wood storefront. Handcrafted by a local woodworker and painted to match the color palette of a New England historic district, Leaven is already leaving its mark on the community. The project was the first to use the city’s recent Community Revitalization Tax Incentive — a program that stimulates beautification and smart growth in the historic district.

The question on everyone’s mind is: When will Leaven open? “It’s a moving target,” says Watson, “we’re working around the clock to make sure we get everything done right before we open. It’s been exciting to be part of a project that started out of nothing — the whole building was taken down to studs — and build everything up. Just like our bread, the whole place is made from scratch! We’re getting the last pieces of equipment in, waiting for licensing, and putting some unique finishing touches on the interior space. It’s only a few weeks at this point.”

Up until opening, members of the public can still purchase the vouchers by going on the their website — www.leavenNH.com. “You can still be part of the project, part of the community, and get some extra beer and bread money out of it!” says Soldati.

It’s clear that for these three hometown boys, it will always be about community and investing back into their city. “Beer and bread form the basis of Leaven,” Jackman says, “Two simple things that historically people love to gather around. Whether toasting with a beer or breaking bread, there’s something very communal in the model we’ve set up.”

Soldati adds, “the word Leaven, not only relating to the fermentation process in beer and bread, also means to ‘transform for the better.’ We’ve seen Somersworth transform in amazing ways over the last few years and it will continue to, dramatically, in the next two years. We’re very excited to be a part of that leavening spirit.”